NLF row on disputed results could cost sub-clans seats in Lower House

The representation of five sub clans in the Lower House hangs in the balance as the country’s leadership differ on how the five seats declared null by the dispute resolution mechanism will be filled even as the electoral body FIEIT declares the logistical challenges render a repeat exercise almost impracticable.

A source privy to the developments has told Goobjoog News the Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team, FIEIT, the body mandated to conduct the poll is washing its hands clean and handing over the remaining task to the National Leader Forum as difference among the leaders  go unresolved.

“Jubbaland leader Ahmed Islam Madobe strongly opines the verdict of the Independent Dispute Resolution Mechanism declaring the election of the five MPs null be set aside and that the elected MPs duly take office. But the other regional leaders hold the view the exercise be repeated,” our source said.

Disputed lists

The IDRM December submitted 24 names to the UN which it considered should be struck off from the list of elected MPs but in its meeting with the NLF later, it emerged the list had been sanitized to reflect only 11 names. In its verdict thereafter, the NLF reduced the number to five, a development which irked the UN the more condemning the NLF for meddling with the affairs of the electoral bodies.

The FIEIT is now of the opinion that the NLF which is composed of the President, PM, House Speaker and heads of regional administrations find a common ground on how it is going to handle the issue, the source said.

Logistical challenges

Besides the differences, the electoral body points to logistical challenges as a major impediment to holding a repeat elections in the regions. “The Amisom and Somali security forces have left the polling centres and resumed their normal operations most likely elsewhere. Securing the elections is therefore a tall order since we will need a new arrangement with the African Union force and the Somali security forces,” the source added.

Amisom in collaboration with Somali security forces were responsible for securing the elections and had indicated it had dedicated resources and personnel to ensure the exercise went on without any forms of attacks particularly from Al-Shabaab which had vowed to disrupt the process.

Credibility of poll

The FIEIT, the source said is also concerned the credibility of a repeated poll might be compromised the more than what led to the results being cancelled in the first place. “We cannot guarantee a fairer exercise than before since we may not have the requisite resources including observers and all other actors to monitor the process.”

The five seats whose results are in dispute are as follows: from Ugaar Saleeban sub-clan in Puntland won by Abdi Mohamud Mohamed, Beesha Gaaljecel from Jubbaland taken up by Abdullahi Mohamed Adan and Digil/Mahalin weyne whose elected MP was Sheikh Shaahir Mohamed from South West state. The others were Qabiilka Jidle seat from HirShabelle which went to sports minister Mohamed Abdullahi Hasan Nuur and a seat for Murasade sub clan claimed by Abdukadir Mohamud Gaafow.